Package foldable cut-out

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a foldable cutout ( 4 ) for a package ( 1 ) used for containing a flowable products such washing agents comprising elements ( 5, 6, 7, 8 ) separated by folding lines ( 9 ) and arranged next to each other, in particular a front side ( 6 ), a front side ( 5 ), a rear side ( 8 ) and a second front side ( 7 ), several bottom flaps ( 5   a   , 6   a   , 7   a,    8   a ) which form the package ( 1 ) bottom and are connected to the lower edge ( 11 ) of the elements ( 5, 6, 7, 8 ) by folding lines, several top flaps  5   b,    6   b,    7   b,    8   b ) which form at least one part of the pivotable cover element ( 2 ) of the package ( 1 ) and connected to the top edge ( 12 ) of the elements ( 5, 6, 7, 8 ) by said folding lines and a collar ( 16 ) which, when the package ( 1 ) is closed, contacts at least one element and is covered at least partially by the cover element when it is in the opened position thereof, wherein the collar ( 16 ) is connected to at least one element ( 5, 6, 7, 8 ) and/or to at least one cover flap ( 5   b,    6   b,    7   b,    8   b ) by means of the folding in a single piece manner. The foldable cutout is characterised in that the collar ( 16 ) is placed above the top edge ( 12 ) of the elements ( 5, 6, 7, 8 ) in the unfolded state thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on PCT/EP2006/007995 dated Aug. 12, 2006, which in turn is based on German application No. DE 10 2005 043 186.0 dated Sep. 9, 2005.

The invention relates to a foldable cut-out for a package used for containing free-flowing products such as for example detergents or cleaning agents. The invention also relates to a package that is based on a foldable cut-out.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

A cardboard foldable cut-out is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,981 and possesses four elements arranged side by side, each separated by fold lines, said elements, when folded, forming a front panel, a first side panel, a rear panel and a second side panel of the package. On a lower edge of the elements are attached a plurality of bottom closure flaps, from which a bottom of the package can be produced. The bottom flaps are joined with the elements by fold lines. Moreover, the foldable cut-out of U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,981 possesses a plurality of top closure flaps that are attached to an upper edge of the elements by fold lines and from which at least a part of a pivotable top element of the package can be produced.

The foldable cut-out also possesses a collar. The collar is joined to the rear panel by a fold line and includes a part of the first side panel, a part of the front panel and a part of a second side panel. The three parts of the collar are thus separated from each other by fold lines, wherein these fold lines each run parallel to the fold line that joins the collar with the rear panel, and to the fold lines that separate the front panel and rear panel and the first side and second side from each other. Consequently, the front panel, first side panel, rear panel, second side panel as well as the three parts of the collar are arranged side by side, meaning that the foldable cut-out is very wide. On manufacturing the package, the foldable cut-out is folded in such a way that the collar in the folded package abuts the front panel and the first and second side panels on an inner panel and is partially covered by the cover element in the closed position.

The package can be securely closed by the cooperation of the collar with the cover element, such that the detergent inside the package is well protected from the surroundings.

In order to fold it into a rectangular package, the flat foldable cut-out is conveyed to a folding machine. For this the foldable cut-out is fed crosswise into the machine, such that the required width of the machine is defined by the total width of the elements laying side by side and collar parts. Consequently, the machines have to be designed to be comparatively wide; this can be disadvantageous when there is limited space available.

If the foldable cut-out in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,981 is not introduced exactly correctly into the machine, such that the foldable cut-out is not positioned exactly at right angles to the machine direction of the conveyor, then due to the large width of the foldable cut-out, a misalignment can occur that no longer allows the foldable cut-out to be properly folded with the desired accuracy.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is based on the provision of a foldable cut-out that can be easily cut out and automatically folded with ease and without difficulty.

THE PRESENT INVENTION

The object on which the invention is based is achieved by a foldable cut-out having the features in accordance with claim 1. Preferred embodiments are to be found in the dependent claims 2 to 14.

According to the invention, the collar is located above the upper edge of the elements in the unfolded foldable cut-out, i.e. when the foldable cut-out is laying flat. Therefore, the collar is not laterally attached to the elements that are arranged side by side (front panel, first and second side panels, rear panel), but is to be found above these elements. This reduces the width of the foldable cut-out, the width now only being formed, apart from possible adhesive flaps, from the width of the front panel, the rear panel and the first and second side panels. By inventively locating the collar above the elements, a more compact foldable cut-out is created that can be easily processed in machines of a lower width.

The fold line, which joins the collar with at least one of the elements and/or at least one of the cover flaps, can run perpendicular to the fold lines that separate the elements. The collar is preferably located above the front panel, the first side panel and the second side panel. In this way the collar can be pivoted or folded 180 degrees along the fold line that joins it with at least one of the elements and/or at least one of the cover flaps, such that the collar comes into contact with the front panel and with the first and second side panels.

The collar preferably possesses a front panel part, a first side panel part and a second side panel part, wherein the first side panel part and the second panel part are each separated from the front panel part by fold lines. In the folded package, the first side panel part butts against the first side panel, the front panel part butts against the front panel and the second side panel part of the collar butts against the second side panel. The individual parts of the collar can be fixed to each adjacent side of the package by spot adhesives or lines of adhesive.

In a preferred embodiment, the collar possesses a first bridge and a second bridge, wherein the first bridge links the first side panel part of the collar with a cover flap of the first side panel and the second bridge links the second side panel part of the collar with a cover flap of the second side panel. The fold line, about which the collar is pivoted 180 degrees to produce the package, runs along an upper rim of the cover flap. A height of the first and second bridge corresponds exactly or approximately to the height of the cover flaps of the first and second side panels. Here, the height of a cover flap corresponds to the distance from the upper rim of the cover flap to the upper edge of the elements, to which each cover flap is attached.

In a preferred embodiment, a tearable tape element extends across the first and second side panels as well as over the front panel, whereby in the folded package the cover element can be opened once the tape elements have been torn away. Thus, the tearable tape element defines a lower edge of the cover element. For the folded package, as long as the tape element has not yet been torn off and the package is therefore in the original unopened state, the cover element and the other part of the package are joined to one another such that no detergent or the like can trickle out. Moreover, by checking the tape element, one can easily determine whether the package is in the unopened original state.

At least one closing flap and one counterpart can be located on the collar, preferably on the front panel part, whereby in the folded package, the counterpart and the closing flap cooperate to form a releasable closure of the cover element. The counterpart can be suitably fixed on the cover element, for example by adhesion.

In a preferred embodiment, the closing flap and counterpart form a material bridge that joins the collar with one of the cover flaps. In this way the collar can be joined over this material bridge and, with a suitable design, also over the first and second bridge, with various cover flaps. Preferably, the closing flap is joined over a fold line with the front panel part of the collar. The counterpart can be attached over a weakening line on one of the sides of the closing flap that faces away from the front panel part. In the original unopened state of the package, the counterpart and closing flap are joined together over this weakening line. On opening the package by tearing off the tear tape element and opening the cover element, the counterpart and closing flap are separated from one another. When the cover element is closed they again come into contact with one another.

A material cut-out can be provided between the front panel part and at least one of the side panel parts of the collar. The fold line between the front panel part and the corresponding side panel part is shortened by this material cut-out, such that the side panel part and front panel part can be more easily pivoted together.

In a preferred embodiment, one edge of the collar, which in the folded package forms an upper edge of the collar, is pulled back in the vicinity of the fold line that separates the front panel part and one of the side panel parts from one another. When the front panel part and side panel part are folded at a right angle when producing the package, this setting back of the upper edge leads to a rounding off of a resulting upper corner of the collar, over which the cover element has to be moved on opening and closing. The rounding off means that the cover element can be more easily opened and closed.

The edge of the collar, which forms the upper edge of the collar in the folded package, can be pulled back, at least in a central area of the front panel part against the areas of the side panel parts. The backward displacement of the upper edge produces a gap between a lower side of the closed cover element and the collar in order to improve the cooperation of the closing flap with the counterpart located on the cover element. Because the cover element can now be elastically bent on closing, the closing flap can now be snapped into place behind the counterpart even after repeated use of the package. Moreover, by suitably positioning the closing flap and counterpart, the cover element can be elastically sprung, such that the closing flap and counterpart are pre-stressed against one another.

There generally remains a gap between the upper edge of the collar and the bottom of the cover element.

The width of one of the side panel parts can be about the same as the associated side panel. Consequently, in the folded package, the side panel part of the collar abuts with an outer edge on the rear side, whereby with the purpose of a good seal any possible gap between collar and rear side is closed.

One of the cover flaps can incorporate a carrying handle. Another possibility for providing the package produced from the foldable cut-out with a carrying handle consists of the provision of suitable anchorage points on the side panels for the ends of a carrying handle that extends in an arc from the first side panel over the cover element to the second side panel. The fixation of the carrying handle on either side of the side panels then also enables the package to be lifted up by the carrying handle without tilting should the cover element not be closed or it is leaning against other packages.

The invention also relates to a package for free-flowing goods, such as for example detergents, which is based on a foldable cut-out according to one of claims 1 to 14. It should also be pointed out that the package can also be based on a foldable cut-out and a collar that is separated from the foldable cut-out. In this case the foldable cut-out includes, in so far as it is a rectangular package, a rear panel, a front panel, a first side panel and a second side panel as well as a plurality of bottom and cover flaps. The collar preferably includes a first side panel part, a front panel part and a second side panel part. The collar and foldable cut-out in this case can be made of the same material and only joined together when the package is produced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The invention is described in more detail with reference to the examples illustrated in the figures. The drawings show:

FIG. 1 an inventive package;

FIG. 2 an inventive foldable cut-out; and

FIG. 3 the foldable cut-out of FIG. 2 with a collar flipped round 180 degrees.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An inventive package is illustrated in FIG. 1 and designated in its entirety with 1. The package 1 includes a cover element 2 that in FIG. 1 is in its opened or uncovered state. The cover element 2 is pivotably joined with the remaining part of the package 1 by a bending edge 3.

The package 1 can be produced from an integrally formed foldable cut-out 4, as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The foldable cut-out 4 possesses four elements 5, 6, 7, 8 arranged side by side, which are each separated from one another by fold lines 9 running parallel to one another. In the folded package, the element 5 forms a first side panel, the element 6 forms a front panel, the element 7 forms a second side panel and the element 8 forms a rear panel of the package.

On one long side of the rear panel 8 (the corresponding element and rear panel are designated in the following with the same reference numerals, this is also similarly valid for the other elements) is provided a lengthwise running adhesive flap 10, by which the rear panel 8 can be joined to the first side panel 5, whereby the elements 5, 6, 7, 8 form a tube.

Four bottom flaps, designated with the reference numerals 5 a to 8 a, are attached to a lower edge 11 of the elements 5, 6, 7, 8, and serve to form a bottom of the package 1.

On an upper edge 12 are attached cover flaps 5 b to 5 b that serve to form the cover element 2 (see FIG. 1). At a distance from the upper edge 12 runs a tearable tape element 13. The first side panel 5 can be separated into a lower part 5 c and an upper part 5 d by tearing off the tape element 13. This also applies analogously for the front panel 6 and the second side panel 7, which can be separated into a lower part 6 c and 7 c and an upper part 6 d and 7 d by tearing off the tape element 13. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the upper parts 5 d, 6 d, 7 d of the elements 5, 6, 7 form an edge region 14 of the cover element 2. Together with the rear panel 8, the lower parts 5 c, 6 c and 7 c form a container part 15 of the package 1.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, which shows the foldable cut-out 4 in the unfolded or lay flat state, a collar 16 that includes a first side panel part 17, a front panel part 18 and a second side panel part 19 is located above the upper edge 12. The first side panel part 17 and the front panel part 18, and the front panel part 18 and the second side panel part 19, are separated from each other by the fold lines 20 that run in the same direction as the fold lines 9. The first side panel part 17 of the collar 16 is joined to the cover flap 5 b by a first bridge 21. The second side panel part 19 of the collar 16 is joined to the cover flap 7 b by a second bridge 22. Two fold lines 23 that are aligned with one another are located between the first bridge 21 and the cover flap 5 b as well as between the second bridge 22 and the cover flap 7 b. The collar 16 can be folded 180 degrees over these fold lines 23 to lie on the elements 5, 6, 7. A collar 16 pivoted about 180 degrees is illustrated in FIG. 3.

A closing flap 24 and a counterpart 25 are located between the cover flap 5 b and the front panel part 18 of the collar 16. The closing flap 24 and counterpart 25 are joined together by a weakening line 26.

The closing flap 24 and counterpart 25 form a material bridge between the front panel part 18 of the collar 16 and the cover panel 6 b. In order to bring the collar 16 into the position illustrated in FIG. 3, the counterpart 25 must be separated from the cover flap 6 b. For this reason the closing flap 25 and counterpart 6 b are consequently only joined together by a weakening line 27.

The cooperation of the closing flap 24 and counterpart 25 for the purpose of releasably fastening the cover element 2 is described by referring to FIG. 1. As already described above, FIG. 1 shows the package 1 with an opened cover element 2. In order to open the cover element 2 for the first time, the tear-off element 13 (see FIG. 2) has to be torn off such that the first side panel 5, the front panel 6 and the second side panel can be separated into the lower parts 5 c, 6 c, 7 c and upper parts 5 d, 6 d, 7 d respectively. When the cover element is closed again, it now covers over the collar 16 with its edge area 14 that consists of the parts 5 d, 6 d, 7 d.

When producing the package 1, the counterpart 25 is fixed on the cover element 2, namely on the edge area 14 or, more precisely, on the upper part 6 d of the front panel 6. The counterpart 25 corresponds with the closure flap 24 that is located on a butting edge 29 of the collar 16 folded towards the front, such that in the closed position of the package 1 it is located between the front panel part 18 of the collar 16 and the part 6 d of the edge area 14, and abuts against an upper edge 28 of the counterpart 25. In the closed position of the package 1, this abutment locks the cover element 2. By lifting up the cover element 2, the closure flap 24 that points downwards is then, due to the close alignment, pivoted upwards and at the same time the front panel part 18 of the collar 16 as well as the part 6 d of the cover element 2 are pushed away from one another. After overcoming a maximum resistance, the cover element 2 then snaps open, wherein the closure flap 24 springs back into a downwards-inclined slanting position, as is illustrated in FIG. 1. The closure of the cover element, in which the closure flap 24 springs behind the butting edge 29 of the counterpart 25, is accompanied by an audible sound.

In order to facilitate the closure and opening of the cover element, the upper corners 30, 31 of the collar 16 are rounded off, in that the upper edge 28 is pulled back in the relevant areas. The upper edge 28 of the collar is also pulled back in the regions of the side panel parts 17, 19, in order that the cover element 2 does not butt against the collar 16, without the counterpart 25 engaging behind the closing flap 24. The retractions in the upper edge 28 of the collar 16 described in this paragraph are not illustrated in the foldable cut-outs 4 of FIGS. 2 and 3.

On producing the folded package starting from the lay flat foldable cut-out 4 of FIG. 2, the collar 16 is first turned about 180 degrees around the fold line 23, such that the collar 16 lays flat on the elements 5, 6, 7. In this way the closing flap 24 and counterpart 25 are brought between the front panel part 18 of the collar 16 and the front panel 6, such that differing from the illustration of FIG. 3, the closing flap 24 and counterpart point downwards. The counterpart 25 is fixedly adhesively bonded with the front panel 6 and with the upper part 6 d of the front panel. Subsequently, the elements 5, 6, 7, 8 are folded such that the adhesive flap 10 lays longitudinally along the first side panel 5 and can be glued. In order to form the bottom of the package 1, the bottom flaps 5 a, 6 a, 7 a, 8 a around the lower edge 11 are folded upwards by 90 degrees and suitably glued. The package 1 open to above can now be filled with detergent or the like. After filling, the cover flaps 5 b, 6 b, 7 b, 8 b are folded, glued and consequently shaped into the cover element 2. With this, the production of the package 1 is completed. 

1. Foldable cut-out (4) for a package (1) that serves to receive free-flowing goods, such as for example detergent, comprising side by side elements (5, 6, 7, 8) that are separated by fold lines (9), in particular a front panel (6), a first side panel (5), a rear panel (8) and a second side panel (7); a plurality of bottom flaps (5 a, 6 a, 7 a, 8 a), from which a bottom of the package (1) can be made and which are attached through fold lines to a lower edge (11) of the elements (5, 6, 7, 8); a plurality of cover flaps (5 b, 6 b, 7 b, 8 b), from which at least a part of an openable cover element (2) of the package (1) can be made and which are attached through fold lines to an upper edge (12) of the elements (5, 6, 7, 8); and a collar (16) that abuts against at least one element in the folded package (1) and that is at least partially covered by the cover element in a closed position, wherein the collar (16) is integrally formed over a fold line (23) with at least one of the elements (5, 6, 7, 8) and/or with at least one of the cover flaps (5 b, 6 b, 7 b, 8 b) and that the collar (16) in the unfolded and lay flat state of the foldable cut-out (4) is located above the upper edge (12) of the elements (5, 6, 7, 8), wherein the closing flap (24) and counterpart (25) form a material bridge that joins the collar (16) with one (6 b) of the cover flaps.
 2. Foldable cut-out (4) according to claim 1, wherein the fold line (23) that joins the collar (16) with at least one of the elements and/or with at least one of the cover flaps, runs perpendicular to the fold lines (9) that separate the elements.
 3. Foldable cut-out (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the collar (16) in the unfolded and lay flat state of the foldable cut-out (4) is located above the front panel (6), the first side panel (5) and the second side panel (7).
 4. Foldable cut-out (4) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the collar (16) comprises a front panel part (18) and, separated from the front panel part by fold lines (20), a first side panel part (17) and a second side panel part (19).
 5. Foldable cut-out (4) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the collar (16) comprises a first bridge (21) and a second bridge (22), wherein the first bridge (21) joins the first side panel part (17) of the collar (16) with a cover flap (5 b) of the first side panel (5) and the second bridge (22) joins the second side panel part (19) of the collar (16) with a cover flap (7 b) of the second side panel (7).
 6. Foldable cut-out (4) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein a tearable tape element (13) extends across the first and second side panels (5, 7) as well as the front panel (6), wherein, in the folded package (1), the cover element (2) can be opened by tearing off the tape element (13).
 7. Foldable cut-out (4) according to claim 4, wherein at least one closing flap (24) and a counterpart (25) are located on the collar (16), preferably on the front panel part (18), wherein, in the folded package (1), the counterpart (25) and the closing flap (24) cooperate to form a releasable closure of the cover element (2).
 8. Foldable cut-out (4) according to claim 6, wherein a weakening line (26) is provided between closing flap (24) and counterpart (25), wherein when the cover element (2) of the folded package (1) is opened for the first time, counterpart (25) and closing flap (24) are separated from one another.
 9. Foldable cut-out (4) according to claim 4, wherein a material cut-out is provided between the front panel part (18) and at least one of the side panel parts (17, 19).
 10. Foldable cut-out (4) according to claim 4, wherein one edge of the collar (16), which forms an upper edge (28) of the collar (16) in the folded package (1), is set back in the vicinity of the fold line that separates the front panel part (18) and one of the side panel parts (17, 19) from one another.
 11. Foldable cut-out (4) according to claim 4, wherein the edge of the collar (16), which forms an upper edge (28) of the collar (16) in the folded package (1), is set back compared with the areas of the side panel parts (17, 19), at least in a central area of the front panel part (18).
 12. Foldable cut-out (4) according to one of claims 1-2, wherein one of the cover flaps comprises a carrying handle.
 13. Foldable cut-out (4) according to claim 4, wherein the width of the side panel parts (17, 19) of the collar (16) approximately corresponds to the width of the segments (5, 6), from which the side panels of the package (1) can be produced.
 14. Package (1) for free-flowing goods, such as for example detergents, which is based on a foldable cut-out (4) according to one of claims 1 to
 2. 